Bible Commentaries

A man shall eat good by the fruit ^a of [his] mouth: but the soul of the transgressors [shall eat] violence.

(a) If he uses his tongue to God's glory, and the profit of his neighbour, God will bless him.

The soul of the sluggard ^b desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

(b) He always desires, but takes no pains to get anything.

The ransom of a man's life [is] his riches: but the poor ^c heareth not rebuke.

(c) For his poverty, he is not able to escape the threatenings, which the cruel oppressors use against him.

Only by pride ^d cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.

(d) When as every man contends to have preeminence, and will not give place to another.

^e Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth ^f by labour shall increase.

(e) That is, goods evil gotten.

(f) That is, with his own labour.

Whoever despiseth ^g the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

(g) Meaning the word of God, by which he is admonished of his duty.

A wicked messenger falleth ^h into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.

(h) Brings many inconveniences both to himself and to others.

He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be ⁱ destroyed.

(i) As he is partaker of their wickedness, and bears with their vices, so will he be punished alike as they are.

A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the ^k wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.

(k) Read (Job 27:16-17).

Much food [is in] the fallow ground of the ^l poor: but there is [that is] destroyed for lack of judgment.

(l) God blesses the labour of the poor, and consumes their goods who are negligent, because they think they have enough.